Sloane Stephens: Grace In Adversity

By Sandra Harwitt

Sports journalists are supposed to be diplomatically unbiased about the people they cover.

It’s just a part of what is considered ethical and the right thing to do.

But every so often journalists have to let down their shield and feel like they’re rooting for someone they can’t help wanting to support.

That’s certainly the way a small group of reporters felt today when they went to hear American junior Sloane Stephens after her tough three-set, second-round win on Wednesday afternoon.

Sloane is going through a difficult time right now and it is impossible not to be impressed with how she’s handling the situation.

Here’s the back story: Sloane’s biological father, John, a former NFL running back, was killed in a car crash last week. Sloane was raised by her mother, Sybil, and her second husband, who unfortunately passed away of cancer in the last couple of years.

Sloane did have contact with her biological father, although much of that was by phone instead of in person.

Her mom left it to Sloane to decide whether she wanted to go Louisiana to attend the funeral. Sloane decided she wanted to be there and USTA officials made it happen, leaving her schedule clear from when she played her doubles early on Monday until today.

Sloane spoke today of how it’s been tough, but she’s dealing and how she was glad she went to say good-bye. She also met nine other brothers-and-sisters from her father’s side while at the funeral.

The composure in which she spoke of such a personal subject was moving. The questioners were careful with how they asked the questions and seemed to assess whether she was prepared to discuss what she’s been going through. After the press conference I chatted with her mom, Sybil Smith, who I’ve chatted with in the past. She thanked me for asking about the situation so “gently” as I was the first to ask the question. Sloane is 16-years-old – it’s responsible journalism to ask difficult questions as softly as you can.

If you don’t think that’s the normal journalist way you should have seen the annoyance that reporters felt a number of years ago when one of our notable insensitive reporters, fortunately no longer on the tennis beat, demanded information from Alexandra Stevenson when he uncovered that former basketball great, Julius Irving was her father. She was a teenager, a nice but not particularly mature teenager and it was a painful experience to be in that interview room.

Back to Sloane: She has a winning personality and is a delight to be around.
Let’s hope her tennis game can deliver her to the career she desires.

P.S. If you want to follow more about the juniors check out my articles on the ITF website – www.itftennis.com.

HEADS OF STATE:

During the last few days the new heads of both tours – Stacey Allaster for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and Adam Helfant for the ATP Tour – have come around to have a chat with the media.

Allaster was second in command at the WTA so she’s just been bumped up a notch. She’s personable and is very experienced having been the tournament director of the Rogers Cup in Canada before joining the tour.

She spoke about being hopeful about Sony Ericsson staying on as the overall title sponsor of the tour. She sees the women’s game as healthy and a special product from a marketing level.

She reports that there’s not likely to be a change in the ranking system and this is one area that the media has concerns. It’s hard not to think that tennis fans don’t believe there’s a discrepancy in terms of who is ranked No. 1 and who they believe is the top player in the world. This makes sense as how do you justify that Dinara Safina has been and will be the No. 1 player after the U.S. Open even though Serena Williams has won two Grand Slam titles this year – the Australian Open and Wimbledon. And when all is said and done here this week, Serena could win her third Grand Slam title of the season. Safina, so far, has no Grand Slam titles to her credit, although she’s had the chance in a few finals. There’s a reason to reward Safina for playing often on the tour and going deep into events as there’s a reason to dock Serena for not being all that supportive at many of the other tournaments. But reality is reality – it’s the majors that really count, so most believe Serena who should be No. 1.

Helfant has sports a background from having been on board as an executive with Nike for many years. He’s still feeling his way in the ATP job since he joined the team at the beginning of the year. Yesterday was his first formal open-to-all press conference.

The biggest news he revealed is that the men’s game does not yet have a signed title sponsor to replace Mercedes, which left at the beginning of this year. However, Helfant said that he is now in negotiations with a number of possible sponsors, which is more encouraging than at the beginning of the year when people weren’t even answering his call.

Helfant is not looking to be the star as his predecessor, Etienne de Villiers, seemed to be. He wants to do a good job, do the nuts and bolts, but he seems to have the type personality that he’s fine doing the job in the background.

Obviously, time will tell, but I have chatted with Helfant a number of times, as well as with Allaster, and I have a good feeling about both of them. Hopefully, they’ll prove me right.

U.S.Open History For September 9:

In 1968, Arthur Ashe wins the first Open Era title at the first U.S. Open. He beats Dutchman Tom Okker in the final and remains the only African American man to win the U.S. Open.

In 1974, Jimmy Connors, 22, beats Ken Rosewall, 39, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 in the final. It’s the most lopsided men’s final ever recorded at this tournament and only took 78-minutes for Connors to bank.

In 1979, Chris Evert’s 31-match streak at the U.S. Open ends when Tracy Austin, at 16 years, 8 months and 28 days becomes the youngest U.S. Open champion in history.

In 1990, Pete Sampras, at 19 years, 28 days, becomes the youngest U.S. Open men’s champion after beating Andre Agassi in a straight-set final.